article · Agricultural Sciences
This study investigates the profitability and diversity of maize value-added products among small-scale entrepreneurs in the Mezam Division of Cameroon. Surveying 500 processors across five subdivisions, the research identified 13 distinct maize-based products. A focused cost-benefit analysis evaluated four specific items: pap, parched corn, peeled parboiled corn, and corn beer. The combined processing of these items yielded an overall economic profit, with pap proving to be the most lucrative product and corn beer the least profitable. Furthermore, analysis revealed a strong negative correlation between product diversity and profitability, suggesting that processors achieve higher financial gains by concentrating on a limited number of high-demand goods rather than diversifying widely. Major operational barriers affecting processors include unstable market prices, steep production costs, restricted access to financing, and insufficient storage facilities.
Post-harvest losses and low farm-gate returns frequently threaten rural livelihoods and food security. By showing which processed maize products yield the highest economic returns, this research provides vital evidence for small-scale agri-food entrepreneurs looking to invest effectively. It also highlights the precise infrastructure and financial barriers that policymakers must address to help rural micro-enterprises thrive.
The findings provide immediately applicable market intelligence for small-scale agri-food processors, microfinance lenders, and agricultural development initiatives. The evidence suggests near-market deployment potential, as entrepreneurs can directly adjust their production mixes to focus on highly profitable items like pap. Realising larger commercial gains, however, will depend on addressing documented constraints through capital investments in modern processing machinery and adequate storage infrastructure.
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Maize value-added products play a crucial role in reducing post-harvest losses, enhancing food security, and generating income. While extensive research has focused on maize production in Cameroon, the exploration of its value-added products and their profitability in the North-West Region remains underexplored. This study examined the profitability of maize value-added products in Mezam Division, with the objectives to: 1) identify various maize-based products, 2) assess the diversity of these products, 3) conduct a cost-benefit analysis of selected products, 4) examine the relationship between profitability and product diversity, and 5) identify key constraints impacting profitability. To achieve these objectives, structured questionnaires were administered to 500 small-scale maize entrepreneurs randomly selected from five subdivisions. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze objective 1 and 5, while the Shannon Diversity Index was employed to assess product diversity. Additionally, a cost-benefit analysis was conducted on four selected products namely pap, parched corn, peeled parboiled corn, and corn beer, and a correlation analysis was used to examine objective 4. In total, 13 maize value-added products were identified, with a diversity index of 4.4. The total cost of processing the four selected products per entrepreneur using 18 kg of maize per product was FCFA 83631.5 (US $132.75), while the total revenue was FCFA 121864.5 (US $193.43), resulting in an economic profit of FCFA 38,233 (US $60.69). Pap emerged as the most profitable product, with an economic profit of FCFA 27,875 (US $44.24), while corn beer was the least profitable, with an economic profit of FCFA 2133.46 (US $3.39). The correlation analysis revealed a strong negative relationship between product diversity and profitability (r = −0.91), indicating that entrepreneurs can maximize profitability by focusing on a few high-demand products like pap and parched corn. Key constraints to profitability included fluctuating market prices, high production costs, limited access to finance, and inadequate storage facilities. Despite these challenges, our findings indicate that maize value addition is profitable in Mezam Division. Entrepreneurs can leverage this data for informed decision-making and future investments. It is recommended that the government promote maize value addition and provide financial support for modern processing equipment to boost profitability and income generation.
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DOI: 10.4236/as.2025.161010
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